Volunteer in Guatemala Xela Review Woman's Support Program Yuko Watanabe

My host family is nice. The host mother is good at cooking. My host family didn´t go inside of my room. On site, I put my backpack at the office but the door is always open.

How was the local ABV coordinator and the support provided in-country?

My local ABV coordinator is great. She prepared a local phone for us at the day we arrived. She told us everything we needed soon. We had a map, phone, and walking around the city was helpful for me. She organized my requests.

What was the most surprising thing you experienced?

Most of the women and girls are really short, even the adults. Most of the girls at the shelter are really younger than me.

What was most difficult to experience?

The language. I don´t speak Spanish and the people here, even my host family, don´t speak English.

Any tips for future volunteers? (clothing, travel, personal items, donations, etc. ? The mornings and nights are really cold. There is lots of wifi spots in Xela.

Other things volunteers should know? The mornings and night times are really cold.

In Xela there is lots of wifi spots.

You can add Spanish class for $8/hour, if you want to.

You should plan your activities. If you have a plan, tell the coordinator.